Abstract
The use of correlations and empirical relationships in geotechnical engineering provides a fast, cost-effective means of predicting the value of a parameter based on the values of certain other, possibly more easily determined, parameters. The correlation between two or more soil properties has been found to be dependent in varying degrees on soil type, the testing method used to obtain the numerical value of the parameter itself and the homogeneity of the soil. Many empirical correlations among soil properties have been published. These correlations, based on widely sourced data, may not be appropriate for local situations. Hence, there is a need for correlations that are based on local data. This paper evaluated the validity of published empirical equations for the index of fine-grained soils in Missouri, USA. Four indices were used in the assessment including the root mean square error, the ratio of the estimated to laboratory-determined compression index, the ranking index and the ranking distance. Results reveal the overall best correlations for the Southeast Region and "Other Regions" of Missouri are given by Azzouz et al. (Soils Found 16:19–29, 1976).
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abu-Farsakh MY, Titi HH (2004) Assessment of direct cone penetration test methods for predicting the ultimate capacity of friction driven piles. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng (ASCE) 130(9):935–944
Al-Khafaji AWN, Andersland OB (1992) Equations for compression index approximation. J Geotech Eng (ASCE) 118(1):148–153
Alvarez Grima M, Babuska R (1999) Fuzzy model for the prediction of unconfined compressive strength of rock samples. J Rock Mech Min Sci 36(3):339–349
ASTM D4318-10 (2010) Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. doi:10.1520/D4318-10
ASTM D854-10 (2010) Standard test methods for specific gravity of soil solids by Water Pycnometer. doi:10.1520/D0854-10
ASTM D4186/D4186 M-12 (2012) Standard test method for one-dimensional consolidation properties of saturated cohesive soils using controlled-strain loading. doi:10.1520/D4186_D4186M-12
ASTM D2216-10 (2010) Standard test methods for laboratory determination of water (Moisture) content of soil and rock by Mass. doi:10.1520/D2216-10
ASTM D2435/D2435 M-11 (2011) Standard test methods for one-dimensional consolidation properties of soils using incremental loading. doi:10.1520/D2435_D2435M-11
Azzouz AS, Krizek RJ, Corotis RB (1976) Regression analysis of soil compressibility. Soils Found 16(2):19–29
Bowles JE (1979) Physical and geotechnical properties of soils. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York
Bowles JE (1996) Foundation analysis and design, 5th edn. McGraw-Hill Company, New York
Briaud JL, Tucker LM (1988) Measured and predicted axial load response of 98 piles. J Geotech Eng (ASCE) 114(9):984–1001
Carrier WD III (1985) Consolidation parameters derived from index tests. Geotechnique 35(2):211–213
Cherubini C (1991) Compressibility characteristics of the Matera Blue Clays as determined by means of statistical correlations. In: Proceedings of the 10th European conference on soil mechanics and foundation engineering (AGI), Firenze, pp 59–62
Cherubini C, Giasi CI (2000) Correlation equations for normal consolidated clays. In: Yokohama IS, Nakase A, Tsuchida T (eds) Proceedings of the international symposium on coastal geotechnical engineering in practice. AA Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 15–20
Cherubini C, Orr TLL (2000) A rational procedure for comparing measured and calculated values in geotechnics. In: Yokohama IS, Nakase A, Tsuchida T (eds) Proceedings of the international symposium on coastal geotechnical engineering in practice, vol 1. AA Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 261–265
Cozzolino VM (1961) Statistical forecasting of compression index. In: Proceedings of the 5th international conference on soil mechanics and foundation engineering Paris, vol. 1, pp 51–53
DNV (2007) Recommended practice: statistical representation of soil data (DNV-RP-C207). Det Norske Veritas, Hovik
Finol J, Guo YK, Jing XD (2001) A rule based fuzzy model for the prediction of petrophysical rock parameters. J Pet Sci Eng 29(2):97–113
Giasi CI, Cherubini C, Paccapelo F (2003) Evaluation of compression index of remolded clays by means of Atterberg limits. Bull Eng Geol Environ 62(4):333–340
Gokceoglu C (2002) A fuzzy triangular chart to predict the uniaxial compressive strength of Ankara agglomerates from their petrographic composition. Eng Geol 66(1–2):39–51
Hough BK (1957) Basic soils engineering. The Ronald Press Company, New York, pp 114–115
Koppula SD (1981) Statistical estimation of compression index. Geotech Test J ASTM 4(2):68–73
Kulhawy FH, Mayne PW (1990) Manual on estimating soil properties for foundation design, Report No. EL-6800. Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto
Lacasse S, Nadim F (1996) Uncertainties in characterizing soil properties. In: Shackleford CD, Nelson PP, Roth MJS (eds.) Uncertainty in the geological environment: from theory to practice, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 58, pp 49–75. ASCE, New York
Li KS, White W (1993) Use and misuses of regression analysis and curve fitting in geotechnical engineering. In: Li KS, Lo SCR (eds) Probabilistic methods in geotechnical engineering. AA Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 145–152
Mahmoud MA, Abdrabbo FM (1990) Correlations between index tests and compressibility of egyptian clays. Soils Found 30(2):128–132
Nagaraj TS, Murty BRS (1985) Prediction of the preconsolidation pressure and recompression index of soils. Geotech Test J ASTM 8(4):199–202
Nishida Y (1956) A brief note on compression index of soil. J Soil Mech Found Div, ASCE 82(SM3):1–14
Ogawa F, Matsumoto K (1978) Correlation of the mechanical and index properties of soils in harbour districts. Rep Port Harb Res Inst 17(3):3–89 (in Japanese)
Orr TLL, Cherubini C (2003) Use of the ranking distance as an index for assessing the accuracy and precision of equations for the bearing capacity of piles and at-rest earth pressure coefficient. Can Geotech J 40:1200–1207
Ozer M, Isik NS, Orhan M (2008) Statistical and neural network assessment of the compression index of clay-bearing soils. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67:537–545
Rendon-Herrero O (1983) Universal compression index equation. Closure J Geotech Eng Div ASCE 109(5):755–761
Saville VB, Davis WC (1962) Geology and soils manual. Missouri State Highway Commission, Jefferson City
Skempton AW (1944) Notes on the compressibility of clays. Q J Geol Soc Lond 100:119–135
Sowers GB (1970) Introductory soil mechanics and foundations, 3rd edn. The Macmillan Company, Collier-Macmillan Limited, London, p 102
Sridharan A, Nagaraj HB (2000) Compressibility behavior of remolded, fine-grained soils and correlation with index properties. Can Geotech J 37:712–722
Terzaghi K, Peck RB (1967) Soil mechanics in engineering practice, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York, p 73
Titi HH, Abu-Farsakh MY (1999) Evaluation of bearing capacity of piles from cone penetration test data. Louisiana Transportation Research Center, Baton Rouge
Tsuchida T (1991) A new concept of e ~ logp relationship for clays. In: Proceedings of the 9th Asian regional conference on soil mechanics and foundation engineering, Bangkok, Thailand, pp. 87–90
Uzielli M, Lacasse S, Nadim F, Phoon KK (2007) Soil variability analysis for geotechnical practice. In: Tan TS, Phoon KK, Hight DW, Leroueil S (eds) Characterization and engineering properties of natural soils. Taylor and Francis, London, pp 1653–1752
Whitman RV (1996) Organizing and evaluating uncertainty in geotechnical engineering. In: Shackleford CD, Nelson PP, Roth MJS (eds.) Uncertainty in the geological environment: from theory to practice, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 58, pp 1–28. ASCE, New York
Wroth CP, Wood DM (1978) The correlation of index properties with some basic engineering properties of soils. Can Geotech J 15:137–145
Yılmaz I (2006) Indirect estimation of the swelling percent and a new classification of soils depending on liquid limit and cation exchange capacity. Eng Geol 85(3–4):295–301
Acknowledgments
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)/Missouri Transportation Institute (MTI) Transportation Geotechnics Research Program (MoDOT/MTI-TGRP) was jointly executed by MoDOT, the Geotechnical Engineering programs of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) and the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T) and the Geological Engineering program of the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Onyejekwe, S., Kang, X. & Ge, L. Assessment of empirical equations for the compression index of fine-grained soils in Missouri. Bull Eng Geol Environ 74, 705–716 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0659-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0659-8